Headline words such as ‘apocalypse’ and ‘prepper’ immediately peak interest, triggering (very mild) anxiety and ridicule, usually in that order and in quick succession; so fast actually that you won’t necessarily even be aware of it. This is what the media does, churn out a quick headline grabbing story, poke fun and onto the next news cycle. A google news search on the topic will quickly reveal that this treatment is pretty ‘standard’. Humour is a coping mechanism (as the ‘psychology minded’ of you out there will know) and an excellent motivator which, in my opinion, should be harnessed positively rather than used to judge people and the choices they make (or are forced to take).

‘Prepper’ is a stereotype. We must look deeper.

There is no fixed definition of what exactly a ‘prepper’ is or does. Rather, ‘prepping’ or simply ‘being prepared’ ranges from wilderness survivalists to keeping several days emergency supplies at home such as long shelf-life food, water purification, first aid etc.

Reality is, most of us live in an urban environment far away from any real wilderness.

If you already have extra food supplies you can cook and eat without access to utilities such as power or water, own a good first aid kit, a radio and a decent torch (preferably wind-up) then you qualify and can call yourself a prepper, if you like. Maybe you do, maybe you don’t. How people label themselves are complex and interesting matters. Because of media and film hype the term tends to set off the imagination in perhaps more extreme, fantasy directions. I prefer to keep it real, simple and every day.

Being prepared is simply part of who you are.

A prepper is not a ‘crazy’ person but actually someone that makes highly rational choices based on an appraisal of their situation with knowledge of the past and a look to the future. And what exactly does that look like, the future I mean? Well, things have certainly changed since 2014 and we now must Prepare for a world that’s more than 2° C warmer.

Some big and hard questions are being asked in the wake of flooding and storms which now bear names (MetOffice storm centre). This particular strategy, like most things in life, is both good and bad. While we now can make ‘personal associations’, remember and hopefully learn – meaning: heed warnings, be better prepared – there is also the risk of triggering anxiety and even PTSD. ‘Understanding fear’ is crucial, as I wrote earlier and managing fear is a real challenge. Many turn away (self-preservation, ‘hide’) rather than face (acknowledge) and prepare for what may be coming in a balanced, rational way. Yet strong emotions, even fear can be an ally. Preparedness is the ultimate confidence builder.

Now I still haven’t talked about what SIP actually is…you still are, SIPping that is? 😉

Shelter-in-Place is the opposite of running away

…or evacuate using the proper term. Shelter-in-place happens when you cannot or should not run away, then you shelter-in-place. It’s controlled. It’s planned. Unlike ‘hide’.

Shelter-in-Place: climate change, accidents, security

Not necessarily in that order but that’s what it’s all about. An extreme example I’ve already shown you above, in the first guardian tweet. That was about Sam Notaro who saw himself forced to build his own flood defences to protect his family and property, a four-bedroom home in Moorland, Somerset. Other examples include the emergency services asking you to close your windows and await the all clear. It happens all the time, for example, recently….

They don’t call it SIP aka ‘shelter-in-place’ simply because it’s usually not serious enough and does not last long enough which means you don’t have to seal your windows and air ducts and ‘hide/hold out’ for many hours or days.

Shelter-in-place: GET A KIT. MAKE A PLAN. BE PREPARED.

Look around our website; right side navigation for more blog, top navigation for kit. We source the best products on the market and test them so that you can rely on them in a real emergency. If you don’t find exactly what you want, our speciality is bespoke kits, examples of which you can find here.

So that’s about it. Have you finished SIPping? What? No easy tick list to print out and start with I hear you ask? Well, yes and no, because I’m a little ambivalent about easy short cuts that give a false sense of security and all for motivating and empowering people. You see, only you really know what you need to be better prepared. You are the only one who best knows your situation and circumstances and what you are comfortable with. No simplistic tick list can really get there properly. Only you can, with a little extremely worthwhile effort. But we help. Actually there is a lot of help out there and a good place to start is to first check the website of your local resilience forum which you can also find referenced in our (evolving) directory Ready for Emergencies.

In addition we offer a comprehensive free Emergency Plan download and lots of other useful resources which you can access right from our preparedness hub page. This includes our newest awareness raising video, put together for us by the dedicated Warwickshire/ Worcestershire man, Ian MacDonald Walker (@sonetimage6 ).

Now it’s your turn: #SHELTERINPLACE challenge

For today, day 7 of the #30days30waysUK campaign, we simply would like you to do one thing so that YOU are better prepared and which also HELPS US ALL to raise awareness for emergency preparedness:

Start making your own 72+ hour SHELTER IN PLACE kit, take a picture + share

Go through your stores at home and start making your 72+ hour shelter-in-place kit for all the members in your household, covering the 5 core areas

All chosen items must be in good working order and have a shelf life of minimum one year, preferably longer

Add special items for children and elders, include your pet(s)

Take a picture and share it with the hashtags #30days30waysUK #ShelterInPlace before securely boxing or bagging your kit

If you work for or own a small business, start a contingency kit and business continuity plan for business preparedness and share as above. Now before I go. Thank you! Thank you LRF Emergency Planners for including us and thank YOU for reading and listening. We all face an unknown future and must be willing to be brave, face what is coming and work together. No one is ever alone in a real emergency and disaster. Capacities and capabilities build resilience, and we must keep it positive and empowering with a sense of humour. Which, finally, brings me to Harry Barker (@go_artmonkey) in Manchester. Thank you for the brilliant cartoon finale.

Don’t be scared – BE PREPARED! Monika –

I look forward to seeing you around at #30days30waysUK! For more on practical Emergency and Disaster Preparedness head over to our FREE resources at the Preparedness Hub. Why we use cartoons. If you like this post, please share it to help raise awareness for Emergency and Disaster Preparedness. Thank you! Tweet Find EVAQ8 on social media, like and follow us!

98 thoughts on “SIP: SHELTER-IN-PLACE | September is Preparedness Month”

Excellent to see September Preparedness Month really taking off. I don’t have time to follow every day but I check out your blog and social media posts every week. You’re doing a great job and your content is always both informative and fun. Keep going!!!

Hey there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with me so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely enjoying the
information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Superb blog and amazing design and style.

My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content in your
case? I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on some of the subjects you write concerning here.
Again, awesome blog!

I’ve been browsing on-line more than 3 hours today, yet I never discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours.This is a great blog and I wish more people wrote like you. See you later. I’ll be back!

That is really attention-grabbing, You’re an excessively professional blogger.I have joined your rss feed will look for more of your excellent post.
Additionally, I’ve shared your site in my social networks

You’re so cool! I do not believe I’ve truly read through a single thing like that before. So wonderful to find another person with a few unique thoughts. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that’s needed, someone with some originality and relevance!

Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative and worthwhile.
I’m going to watch out for Brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!

Wow. I’ve read a a lot of good stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting. Really surprised and pleased how much effort you put into this sort of fantastic informative website. Keep it up!

You’re awesome! This blog is awesome and the campaign is awesome. Will keep eye our for this year.
Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This blog is something that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality and purpose!

Awesome site you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any message boards that cover similar topics talked about in this blog? I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get opinions from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Appreciate it!

Hello I am so glad I found your blog page, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching for something else. Anyways I am here now and would just like to say cheers
for a incredible post and a all round interesting and super useful blog. I don’t have time to look over it all at the moment but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more. Please do keep up the excellent job!

I don’t even know how I ended up here but this write-up was good. You obviously care and know a lot so I’m sure one day you’ll be famous – if you aren’t already. In any case, thanks. The post really made me think and see things differently …

Greetings from California! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your site during lunch break. I enjoy the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone ..I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, very good site!

After looking at a handful of the blog posts on your web site, I really appreciate your way of blogging. I added it to my bookmark site list and will be
checking back soon. Your work really stands out!

Hello! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us, so I came to give it a look. I’m enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Wonderful blog. Thanks.

Wow – this is different. Really glad to have stumbled on your blog. Excellent!

Comments are closed.

Welcome to the EVAQ8 preparedness blog

To explore the site, simply use the right hand navigation for this blog. For emergency kits and practical resources use the top navigation. For FREE resources head over to our Preparedness Hub. To SEARCH use the box below (blog) or above (kit).